2016 Macbook Air Guesses

[MacBoook160]

They only had three tiers for the few years after the Air was first launched until it dropped in price and they removed the MacBook. They have historically only had a lower tier and a pro tier.

That'd work, too. With enough ways of configuring it, there'll be just about something for everyone. And not to compare the iPad with an actual computer, but there IS that, too, in it's own little silo.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I just hope there IS a new MBAir after seeing the new MB, I will stick to the Air for sure.

 

[SmOgER]

I agree, the notebook-lineup is a bit confusing at the moment. It would have made perfect sense to introduce the rMB as the new MacBook Air, while the MacBook Air could have been rebranded as a "MacBook". Thus, leaving:

* MacBook - Classic, entry-level notebook (the MBA). Does a lot of things very well, but isn't best at anything. A great compromise between power and portability, for the average user, lacks in areas such as screen-quality.

* MacBook Air - The super slim, ultra portable computer. Decent performance, but oh so thin. Form over function, for those who are willing to sacrifice some speed and ports for thinness and light weight.

* MacBook Pro - For the Pro in you. Power and speed above all else.

As of now, it makes no sense having an "Air" which is thicker and heavier than the normal "MacBook".

This would make sense, but then Apple still would have needed to more or less redesign the MBA (new MB) before introducing rMB (new rMBA) not to have the 2 exactly the same looking machines bearing 2 different names, although replacing the bezel and changing the color schemes + adding small new extra visual details could be sufficient.

 

[MacRazySwe]

"hey, that computer that everybody's been calling the Air for the last 5 to 7 years? that's not an Air anymore..."

Well, it isn't! Cause it's now fat!

No but really, by todays standards the new Retina MacBook is more "Air" than anything else in the lineup. Unless "Air" means something else than thin and light, by Apples secret naming conventions.

 

[tecnho]

Unless "Air" means something else than thin and light, by Apples secret naming conventions.

It is also required in-order to live. Can we survive without our computers? I know... very deep and introspective analogy and proposition.

 

[MacBoook160]

I've read a few more pieces following on the OP's link to the Motley Fool original, and I'm frankly confused (and of course, that's impacting my purchasing intentions, damn it!)

The implication, as above, is that the 2016 Air will be a redesign, with Skylake chip, and the new port (perhaps more than one, unlike the Macbook), and maybe even a better display.

Isn't that just a refreshed 2015 Macbook? What would be differentiator?

And of course, since the world revolves around me...what the heck to do now?